Body Image and Self-Compassion.
Body image refers to how we think, feel, and behave in relation to our bodies. It includes our beliefs about how our body looks, how comfortable we feel in our own skin, and the way we respond to our appearance.
Body image is not just about what we see in the mirror. It is shaped by our thoughts, emotions, past experiences, relationships, and the messages we receive from society, culture, and the media.
A positive body image involves accepting and respecting your body, even if it does not match cultural ideals. It allows you to care for your body with kindness and make choices based on wellbeing rather than appearance.
A negative body image may involve frequent self-criticism, dissatisfaction, comparison with others, or feeling defined by appearance. Over time, this can affect confidence, mental health, and overall quality of life.
Body image can change throughout life, and with the right support, it is possible to develop a healthier, more compassionate relationship with your body.
The issue is not your body, but the way you see it and the beliefs you hold about yourself.
There is nothing wrong with your body—what matters is how you relate to it and how you see yourself.
In the age of social media and images of specific body types constantly showing up in our feeds, on television or when we go shopping, it’s easy to get trapped into feeling bad about our bodies.
A people can lose a lot of weight and still have a negative body image. Why? One reason is that they continue to have a mental image of how they used to look in their minds, and are identifying with the old image. Secondly, they are still not happy with their body shape, which leads to a negative body image.
In today’s appearance-focused culture, unrealistic body ideals can have a significant impact on wellbeing. Constant pressure to look a certain way can affect people of all ages and genders, often leading to:
• Reduced self-esteem and confidence
• Increased anxiety, stress, and low mood
• Disordered eating and unhealthy relationships with food or exercise
• Social withdrawal and avoidance of relationships or opportunities
• Ongoing self-criticism and body dissatisfaction
• A focus on appearance over personal values, strengths, and individuality.These societal pressures can make it difficult to develop a healthy, compassionate relationship with the body. Supportive, evidence-based therapy can help individuals challenge unrealistic standards, build self-acceptance, and reconnect with their sense of self beyond appearance.
In a society that places growing emphasis on altering our bodies, people of all ages and genders can struggle to develop a stable and caring relationship with their bodies.
I offer contemporary, evidence-informed therapy that gently supports clients in rebuilding a compassionate, respectful, and connected relationship with themselves and their bodies.